MAITLAND are hoping to convince No.8 Travis Brooke to extend his stay.

Brooke (shoulder) was one of three key men to sit out the minor semi-final loss to Wanderers with injury.

The Kiwi played in Scotland before joining Currie teammate Chis Logan at Marcellin.

“He was a weapon for us this year,” co-coach Mick Hickling said. “We have a few end-of-season events coming up and hopefully the boys get in his ear and convince him to hang around.”

Hickling has been satisfied with the Blacks’ progress.

“It was the first time the club has made the semis in a while,” he said. “For some of the blokes it was their first season of first grade. Max Stafford, Patty Batey and Jono Maloney will gain a lot from the experience.”

* Southern Beaches lock Vilai Kelemete escaped suspension despite being found guilty of a lifting tackle in the 27-10 loss to Hamilton in the major semi. Kelemete was given a red card after up-ending Sireli Bainivalu and the judiciary deemed the send off sufficent penalty.